CURRENT REALITIES OF DENTAL GRADUATES ABOUT DENTAL PROFESSION: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FUTURE PROSPECTS OF DENTAL GRADUATES

Purpose: Dentistry is specialized branch for head and neck region. In this field exponential growth in technology has taken place in the last few decades. At the same time dental graduates also increased. As the patient to doctor ratio has increased, it helped in offering services to the needy, but on the flip side, many qualified dentists are shifting careers due to multiple reasons. This study was conducted to know the awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects in pursuing the dental career. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among junior residents who attended the dental conference using a structured questionnaire. Questions are prepared in a customized form which elicits, knowledge and awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects among junior residents. Results: A total of 210 dental graduates/ junior residents participated in the study. Among them, nearly half of the sample, i.e. 42.4% of dental graduates are satisfied only 50% in pursuing dentistry. Most of the participants, i.e., 63.8% are willing to change the profession, while remaining one-third of the sample, i.e., 36.7% are willing to work in government sector. Only a few graduates, i.e. 22.4% of them were interested in teaching or academics. Conclusion: Even though most of the dental graduates were happy in pursuing dentistry, but most of them were willing to change the career option because of a stressful job timing with no expected fruitful returns in terms of income. This problem is also escalating because of fewer job opportunities.


INTRODUCTION
The field of modern dentistry has changed a lot by means of technology. It has sustained in this world. Dentistry is known to be one of the most paid jobs in the world. Dental practitioners are trained to attain adequate knowledge which is essential to work as oral health care worker. (1,2) Many new dental colleges are emerging in the country, offering dental education 2| to the many students. But, in recent times, students who are interested in pursuing post-graduation after their Bachelor's degree are steadily declining. (3) In Southern states of India, most of the students were forced to join dental education because of varying reasons such as not able to achieve MBBS seat. This kind of situations results in a stressful environment to the students who may show less or no interest during the study. (4,5) Discrimination among medical and dental students has negative impact on budding dentists. Pursuing bachelor's degree in, dentistry should be by a separate entrance exam after obtaining MBBS, might be the solution for the above problem. This also helps in creating more intrust in students at pursuing dental medicine as a specialty.
This, may also increases job opportunities. (6,7) Most of the dental graduates are struggling in the field due to fewer job opportunities in India.
Establishing one's own dental clinic requires more investment. Apart from a this, Indian dental degree has low or almost no recognition in other countries. (7,8)  were interested in dental imaging.
Some amount of interest in the latest advances like lasers and impalnts.

DISCUSSION
In our country, dentistry is being challenged to maintain their professional standards by delivering the best possible education to students, by giving preference to public service, and maintaining regulations and codes of ethics through self-government. 9 In our study, we found that onethird of dental graduates were decently convinced to carrying on their dental are willing to study in other countries. (12) In our study. we observed more than one-third of dental graduates were inclined towards starting an own setup as a part of their career option to secure bright future while remaining one-third are willing to work in a government setup. This could be attributed to the desire of having a stable life even with heavy workloads. This is in contrast with the study done by Priya etal. 11 In the present study, we noticed that more than half of dental graduates are opting for Civil services and Group I exams as a good alternative for dentistry after graduation while remaining onethird opted for MBA. This is in contrast with the study done by Priya et al. 11 This could be again attributed to fewer job opportunities for the graduates or higher charges for certificate courses in the general dentistry, or financial issues of an individual to set up a clinic.
While choosing specialty/certificate courses, nearly onethird of interns were willing to pursue aesthetic dentistry while one-third were interested in dental imaging. Dental lasers and implants were next in the order. This could be attributed to an increased number of patients with aesthetic concern.
In the present study, we